Challenger #NexGenATP First-Time Winner: Marc Polmans

20-year-old Aussie speaks to ATPWorldTour.com after winning his first ATP Challenger Tour title in Launceston, Australia

Aussie tennis just keeps on rolling Down Under.

After inspired showings last month from Nick Kyrgios, the titlist in Brisbane, and #NextGenATP Alex di Minaur who made the final in Sydney, 20-year-old #NextGenATP Marc Polmans claimed his first ATP Challenger Tour title in Launceston, defeating fellow Aussie Bradley Mousley 6-2, 6-2 in just under an hour.

The Australian is projected to rise from outside the Top 300 to No. 223 in the ATP Rankings and becomes the second #NextGenATP to win an ATP Challenger Tour title this season, joining 20-year-old Taylor Fritz. Fritz was victorious in Newport Beach, California last month. Sunday’s final was Polmans’ first final at the Challenger level since finishing runner-up to Jordan Thompson in Canberra in 2016.

Polmans spoke to ATPWorldTour.com following his victory in Launceston...

Congratulations on winning your first Challenger title. How does it feel to be standing with the trophy?
Thank you. Super excited to get the win today. [It’s] my first Challenger win so I couldn’t ask for more. I really enjoyed my week here in Launceston and can’t be more happy with the win today.

How did you calm your nerves in such a big match today?
I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the match. I was able to get a break in the first game, which really settled the nerves, but I was still pretty relieved when that last point was played. To get the win today was extra special, having been there once before but lost. I’m not going to forget Launceston for the rest of my career. Hopefully I can come back in the next few years.

You didn’t drop a set all week. What was the key for you throughout the tournament?
I think from the first round I was really feeling comfortable with the conditions and the court speed. Everything was flying with my game this week. I just felt super confident out there. I was really happy to win my matches in straight sets and keep the legs fresh for the next rounds, so I think that was key this week.

It was a great start to 2018 for you. Tell us a little bit about the biggest things that you’ve learnt on your first full year on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2017.
I’m really happy with the start to 2018. Last year was a bit of a tough year for me, I was away from home for eight months straight. I definitely learnt a few lessons there, but this year I’m going to try to play as many Challengers as I can and also make sure I fit in those training blocks when necessary.

It’s a pretty exciting time for Aussie tennis at the moment. We’re seeing Nick Kyrgios, Jordan Thompson, Alex de Minaur really rising in the ATP Rankings. How has their success driven you?
It’s really great to see young guys coming through like Alex de Minaur. He had a really great Aussie summer. It’s really good to see someone with such great work ethic doing so well. It definitely inspires us other Aussie guys to try to stay with them. It’s a good time for Aussie tennis right now.

This is your third visit to Launceston; obvious it’s a tournament that you enjoy. What do you enjoy most down here, particularly in Tasmania?
I love playing almost all tournaments in Australia, but here in Tasmania is going to be a real special one, since it’s my first one. The weather, the courts, everything really enjoy... it’s just a great part of the world to be playing tennis [in].

You had a really good crowd out there today supporting both of you out there on court. Do you get a lot of motivation from that as well?
Yeah it’s cool. We don’t often play in front of decent crowds. It was really cool to play in front of quite a few people today. Definitely makes us bring our best tennis out. I enjoyed every minute out there today.

What are your goals going forward?
I’ve been really happy with how I am performing. It’s a big confidence booster for me and shows that my game’s going in the right direction. But next week it’s back to training. I need to just be taking one step at a time. Last year I reached a career high (No. 175), so this year I want to do a little better.